Where the waterfalls are
There aren't any waterfalls in Torquay itself. The coast here is cliffs, heath and beaches. For falling water you head west into the Great Otway National Park, where the creeks drop off the ranges through fern gullies on their way to the sea. The nearest falls are in the bush behind Aireys Inlet, the best-known cluster is in the hills around Lorne, and the big rainforest falls are further in, around Forrest and Beech Forest.
Before you pick one, know that 2026 has been rough on the tracks. The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority says the January 2026 flash flood washed away or badly damaged bridges and walkways on trails near Lorne, and some of them are still closed. Some repairs mean whole new trails and bridges, and the Authority says those will take some time because of the planning and approvals involved. So this guide says what was open and closed when we checked in October 2026, and where to check again.
A rule of thumb from the park guides: the falls are at their best in winter and spring, and after a few days of heavy rain.
Choosing a waterfall
Closest: Currawong Falls
About 35 minutes' drive, behind Aireys Inlet. A 12 km circuit, so it's a proper walk rather than a quick look.
Easiest: Sheoak Falls
About 50 minutes, just past Lorne. A 1.2 km return walk to a 15 metre fall, and open when we checked.
Best half-day walk: lower Kalimna Falls
About 55 minutes to the Sheoak Picnic Area, then 6.5 km return along an old tramway. You can walk behind the water.
The famous one: Erskine Falls
About an hour. A 30 metre drop, but only the top lookout was open when we checked.
Flattest: Stevensons Falls
About an hour and a half, south of Forrest. A 1 km return walk past redwoods to a viewing platform at the base.
Rainforest falls: Hopetoun and Triplet
About two hours, out near Beech Forest. Pair them with the Otway Fly for a full day inland.
Currawong Falls, behind Aireys Inlet
The closest waterfall to Torquay is Currawong Falls, in the dry ironbark forest of the Great Otway National Park inland from Aireys Inlet. The walk starts at the Distillery Creek Picnic Area, about 35 minutes' drive from north Torquay. Parks Victoria lists it as a 12 km circuit of about four hours, shared with mountain bikes, with some steep rocky sections.
Be honest with yourself about the weather. Parks Victoria says the falls are at their best during or after heavy rain, and on a dry day you're mostly doing it for the walk. That's still a good walk: heath, tree ferns and swamp, grass trees with tall flower spikes, wildflowers in spring, a chance of koalas and swamp wallabies, and views back to the Split Point lighthouse. Bikes ride the loop clockwise, so keep an ear out behind you.
If four hours is too much, the Distillery Creek Nature Trail is a 1.5 km circuit of about half an hour from the same picnic area, with seats and signs along the creek. There are wood barbecues, tables and flushing toilets at the picnic area. No dogs on the Currawong Falls trail.
Lorne: the falls that are open
Lorne is about 45 minutes from north Torquay, and most of its waterfall walks start a few minutes out of town. When we checked the Authority's walks list in October 2026, these weren't marked closed.
Sheoak Falls
About 5 km from Lorne, Sheoak Creek drops 15 metres into a pool in the forest. The Authority gives the Sheoak Falls Walk as 1.2 km return. Parks Victoria says it's about a 10-minute walk from the Sheoak Falls car park below the falls, and you might even see a southern right whale from the boardwalk in season. You can also walk in along the creek from the Sheoak Picnic Area, but that way crosses Sheoak Creek on stepping stones, which get slippery when the water's up. After heavy rain, use the car park below the falls. It's the easiest waterfall near Lorne, and our pick if you only want one.
Kalimna Falls (lower)
The Authority listed the lower Kalimna Falls walk as open again. It starts at the Sheoak Picnic Area, nine minutes from Lorne, and follows an old timber tramway along the creek for 6.5 km return, about two and a half hours. At the end you can walk behind the falling water and look out over a big pool with mossy rocks. The upper Kalimna Falls trail is closed, so turn back at the lower falls.
Cumberland Falls
The Cumberland River Trail starts at the car park in front of the Cumberland River campground, on the Great Ocean Road just past Lorne. It's 6 km return up the river valley to Jebb's Pool and Cumberland Falls, past cliffs and swimming holes. Expect to get your feet wet. There are several low river crossings, and the Authority says not to try them when the river's high. It's graded Level 3, with some steep, rough sections.
Castle Rock via Swallow Cave
For a longer day, this 9 km circuit from the Sheoak Picnic Area goes down Sheoak Creek past Swallow Cave and Sheoak Falls, then climbs out to Castle Rock lookout over the Cumberland River valley and the coast.
The Sheoak Picnic Area has parking, tables, barbecues and toilets, so it makes a good base. Our Lorne day trip guide has the rest of the day: Teddy's Lookout, the pier and lunch in town.
Erskine Falls: a view from the top
Erskine Falls is the waterfall most people mean when they say "the falls at Lorne". It's up Erskine Falls Road in the rainforest behind town, about an hour's drive from north Torquay, and the water drops 30 metres into a fern-filled gorge. There's a car park and toilets at the top.
Normally there are two lookouts. The first is 300 metres return, about 15 minutes, on a paved track with some steps, looking down over the falls and the tree canopy. The second goes down more than 300 steps to the base of the falls, 700 metres return.
Only the first one was open when we checked. The Authority's page was still headed "Temporarily closed" in October 2026, and on 19 October 2026 the Authority told us the upper platform is open but the bottom platform is closed, with no date to reopen. January's flood damage was made worse by another storm a few weeks before that. So it's a look from the top for now. It's still worth the drive if you're in Lorne anyway, but we wouldn't make the trip just for Erskine until the base reopens.
Closed near Lorne
When we checked in October 2026, the Authority listed these walks as temporarily closed after the flood:
- Phantom Falls Walk, the circuit from the Sheoak Picnic Area via Won Wondah and Henderson Falls to Phantom Falls, a 15 metre rock face.
- Won Wondah and Henderson Falls, normally an easy 1.8 km each way from the Sheoak Picnic Area.
- The Cora Lynn Cascades Walk, a 5.5 km loop from the Blanket Leaf Picnic Area on Erskine Falls Road.
- The St Georges River Loop.
- The upper Kalimna Falls trail.
Closed means a bridge or a section of track isn't safe, so don't climb the barriers or try to get in another way. The Authority keeps a live map of Lorne trail closures, and that's the one to check the night before. You can also ring the Authority on 1300 736 533.
Further inland: Forrest and Beech Forest
The falls in the high Otways are a longer drive, but they're the wettest, greenest part of the ranges, and they weren't on the Lorne closure list.
Stevensons Falls
About 15 minutes south of Forrest in the Otway Forest Park, so about an hour and a half from north Torquay. The walk is 1 km return from the car park, past a stand of Californian redwoods, over the Gellibrand River and along it to a viewing platform at the base of the falls. It's the gentlest waterfall walk on this page, with an accessible viewing platform. Our Lake Elizabeth and Stevensons Falls guide has the drive, the gravel road in and the walk to the lake.
Hopetoun Falls
Near Beech Forest, about two hours from north Torquay. You go down about 200 stairs through moss and ferns to the base, where the water falls 30 metres into the Aire River. Parks Victoria says it's at its best in winter and spring. Then you walk back up the 200 stairs.
Triplet Falls
A 2 km circuit of about an hour on elevated walkways through old rainforest, with platforms looking onto the three cascades, and log carts and other bits of an old timber mill beside the track. Youngs Creek feeds it from Weeaproinah, which Parks Victoria says has the highest average rainfall in the state, and the falls are even better after rain. The Little Aire walk leads off the Triplet Falls track to a viewing platform at Little Aire Falls.
Beauchamp Falls
Close to Hopetoun Falls, in the Otway Forest Park. A 3 km return walk of about an hour from the Beauchamp Falls Campground, through tall forest and ferns to a 20 metre fall. The campground has picnic tables and toilets.
When we checked in October 2026, the only alert on Parks Victoria's pages for Hopetoun and Triplet Falls was that Wye Road is closed until further notice after storm and flood damage. Hopetoun and Triplet Falls are close to the Otway Fly, so one or both fit easily into that day.
Kids, prams and dogs
With small kids, go for Sheoak Falls from the car park below the falls, the top lookout at Erskine, or Stevensons Falls. Stevensons is the one for a pram or a wheelchair, with its accessible viewing platform. Hopetoun's 200 stairs are fine going down and a different story coming back up with a toddler on your hip. Lower Kalimna is a good one for school-age kids who like a walk with a reward at the end.
Dogs are the catch. The waterfalls near Lorne, Currawong Falls, Hopetoun Falls and Triplet Falls are all in the national park, and the manager's page for each one says no dogs (assistance dogs aside). Leave the dog at home for a waterfall day, and never in the car while you walk. Our dog-friendly Torquay guide has better options.
Whatever the walk, wear shoes with grip. The managers warn about slippery rocks, steps and stepping stones at most of these falls, especially after rain.
A waterfall day from Torquay
Lorne and a waterfall
Drive down the Great Ocean Road in the morning, walk to Sheoak Falls or lower Kalimna, then lunch in Lorne. If there's time, run up to the Erskine top lookout on the way home. Home before dark: the cliff road is a lot less fun at night.
A short one close to home
After a wet week, Currawong Falls from Distillery Creek is the nearest walk with a waterfall in it. Finish with a look at the lighthouse in Aireys Inlet.
The high Otways
A long day: inland via Forrest for Stevensons Falls, on to Hopetoun or Triplet Falls, maybe the Otway Fly, and home the other way. Pick two stops, not five.
On a wild, rainy day at the beach, a waterfall walk is one of the better plans going. It's the weather the falls need. Our rainy day guide has indoor options if it's too wet even for that.
Waterfalls near Torquay FAQ
What's the closest waterfall to Torquay?
Currawong Falls, behind Aireys Inlet, about 35 minutes' drive. It's on a 12 km circuit from the Distillery Creek Picnic Area, and it's best during or after heavy rain. For a short walk, Sheoak Falls near Lorne is about 50 minutes away.
Is Erskine Falls open?
Partly. On 19 October 2026 the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority told us the upper platform is open and the bottom platform is closed, with no reopening date. Check the Authority's live trail closures map before you go.
Which waterfalls near Lorne are open?
When we checked in October 2026: Sheoak Falls, lower Kalimna Falls, the Cumberland River Trail and the Castle Rock walk weren't marked closed. Phantom Falls, Won Wondah and Henderson Falls, the Cora Lynn Cascades, the St Georges River Loop and upper Kalimna Falls were closed.
Which waterfall walk is easiest?
Stevensons Falls, 1 km return to an accessible viewing platform. Near Lorne, Sheoak Falls from the car park below the falls is about 10 minutes' walk.
Can I take my dog to the waterfalls?
Not to the ones in the national park. Sheoak, Kalimna, Cumberland, Currawong, Hopetoun and Triplet Falls are all listed as no dogs.
When are the falls best?
Winter and spring, and after a few days of heavy rain. Currawong Falls in particular needs rain to be worth seeing.
Make a day of it with our Lorne day trip, Lake Elizabeth and Stevensons Falls, the Otway Fly or the three-day Great Ocean Road itinerary. Staying in north Torquay? Check dates at Holyday House.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 25 October 2026. Opening hours, patrols, rules and closures change — check with the source before you go.
- Walks and Attractions — Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority
- Lorne Walking Trail Closures (live map) — Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority
- Erskine Falls - Temporarily closed — Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority
- Erskine Falls Circuit Walk — Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority
- Kalimna Falls Walk (Lower) — Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority
- Sheoak Falls — Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority
- Sheoak Picnic Area — Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority
- Cumberland River Trail — Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority
- Won Wondah & Henderson Falls - Temporarily closed — Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority
- Phantom Falls Walk - Temporarily closed — Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority
- Castle Rock lookout via Swallow Cave — Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority
- Best Waterfalls Along the Great Ocean Road — Parks Victoria
- Great Otway National Park Anglesea and Aireys Inlet Visitor Guide — Parks Victoria
- Currawong Falls Shared Trail — Parks Victoria
- Great Otway National Park Apollo Bay and Cape Otway Visitor Guide — Parks Victoria
- Great Otway National Park Lorne Visitor Guide — Parks Victoria
- Hopetoun Falls Walk — Parks Victoria
- Triplet Falls Walk — Parks Victoria
- Refreshing waterfall walks — Explore Outdoors (DEECA)